SFJAZZ Center Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

One year ago today, the SFJAZZ Center opened its doors to the public! Two days afterward, SFJAZZ hosted an unprecedented Grand Opening Concert followed by two weeks of sold out, timeless concerts christening the stage of Robert N. Miner Auditorium. The Grand Opening Concert itself featured McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Bill Cosby, Bobby Hutcherson, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, SFJAZZ Artistic Directors (Bill Frisell, John Santos, Miguel Zenón, Regina Carter & Jason Moran), SFJAZZ Collective, Mary Stallings, Eric Reed, Eric Harland & the award-winning SFJAZZ High School All-Stars! Good thing NPR filmed it.

It's been a whirlwind since! Check out some highlights from Grand Opening week.

SFJAZZ Center on Opening Night

Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding & Jeff Ballard

The Red Carpet

The SFJAZZ Collective

Bill Cosby, Miguel Zenón & Pete Escovedo's Band

SFJAZZ High School All-Stars

SFJAZZ Poet Laureate Ishmael Reed

Joshua Redman, Joe Lovano, Matt Penman, Jeff Ballard & John Santos

Herman Leonard Photography Installation

McCoy Tyner & Bobby Hutcherson

Robert N. Miner Auditorium, Opening Week

Esperanza Spalding & Eric Harland

Mary Stallings

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, After Party at the Rickshaw Stop

Last Thursday, singer Mary Stallings put simply while reflecting on the SFJAZZ Center: "All the great ones who didn't make it. I know they're looking down right now and saying, 'YES!'" In recognition of the Center's One-Year Anniversary, SFJAZZ Members enjoy a 25% discount to all of Bill Frisell's shows this coming weekend!

More photos of the Grand Opening, Season 1, 31st San Francisco Jazz Festival, 2013 Summer Sessions and Season 2 at SFJAZZ Flickr.